The Root of Bitterness Defiles Many

​While many people are not bothered by harboring bitterness towards various individuals, a defilement occurs with this root of bitterness.  Hebrews 12:15 says, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled”.  When people allow bitterness to enter their lives, it corrupts their hearts and the lives of those around them.  Bitterness is defined as acridity, pungent in taste or odor, poison, marked by intensity as in severe pain or suffering, intense animosity.  This root grew because a person allowed offense to take place and did not remove it from their life.  Allowing this root to grow disobeys the Word of God by giving the devil a foothold or place within their life (Ephesians 4:27).  Offense is typically an action that goes against someone’s pride or manner of thinking they deem as acceptable or correct.  When this happens, each person is faced with two choices.  Choice one, be offended and let this root of bitterness begin to grow and bring defilement in many directions.  Choice two, use the truth of God’s Word to judge the situation and make the proper changes necessary to be correct in that area. Bitterness is a choice, much like any other attitude.  When this emotion is chosen, it brings a defilement that must be combated with the truth of God’s Word.  There are no other truths except Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh (John 14:6; John 1:14).  When each person has their own truth, they are allowing self-deception to cloud their mind and judgment.  Deception is not victory, and self-deception is only lying to oneself to bring a false sense of security.  When people only see themselves as victims, they will never be victors, achieving the winning attitude necessary to overcome the obstacles in life meant to cause loss.  Offense is the seed, but bitterness is the produce taking root within one’s mental faculties, killing any other growth that brings nutrients to one’s life.  The root of bitterness is spread by the mouth or by actions that begin to grow in others who are in the vicinity of the person allowing this root to grow.  The Apostle Paul writes to let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander be put away from each person along with malice (Ephesians 4:31).  The answer to bitterness and offense is the Word of God (Psalm 119:165).  When a person allows the Word of God to be the truth present in their life, everything else is judged by God’s Word as correct or incorrect (Hebrews 4:12).  This judgment also includes one’s emotions of how to react to situations of every kind one will encounter.  Emotions should be regulated by self-control to ensure reactions are not causing one to sin (Matthew 6:14-15; Colossians 3:13; Philippians 4:6-7).  When one’s mind is not set on the Word of God directing one’s emotions, the mind is set on flesh, which becomes hostile to God due to a root of bitterness (Romans 8:7).  Christians especially should set their hearts, minds, and emotions on the truth of God’s Word and make the appropriate changes to align with His truth rather than ignore or become bitter at His Word because of offense (Romans 12:1-2).  God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the truth of God’s Word have not and will not change.  May Christians align themselves with God and His Word, and may others align themselves with God through salvation in Jesus Christ.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.